Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is extreme, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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UPDATED 06:10 AM.

Travel in avalanche terrain in the alpine and treeline should be avoided during the storm.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but observations have been very limited in this region.

We expect that widespread, large, natural and human-triggered avalanches will be very likely throughout the storm.

Travel in avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow and wind are strongly not recommended.

Snowpack Summary

Over 150 mm has fallen as snow in many high elevation alpine areas, or as rain at treeline and below, since last Saturday.

Another 50 to 90 cm of snow is expected, with heavy rain again at lower elevations. The freezing level may fluctuate between 1000 m to 1500 m throughout the storm. The heaviest precipitation amounts will be between Powell River and the North Shore with the lesser amounts to the east toward Hope.

In the alpine, extreme winds are expected to form deeper storm slabs on lee northeast through northwest-facing slopes.

Expect a rain-saturated snowpack or lack of snow at lower elevations

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 25 to 50 cm of snow/ heavy rain. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level between 1000 to 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 25 to 40 cm of snow / heavy rain. 60 to 80 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1250 m.

FridayCloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

SaturdayCloudy with 30 to 50 cm of snow / heavy rain. 60 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Reactive new storm slabs are expected to build during the storm Wednesday night through Thursday. Older, deeper, storm slabs formed earlier in the week may result in very large avalanches being triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2024 4:00PM

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